Unmet need for contraception in Mozambique
Mozambique: Unmet need for contraception was 26.6% in 2023. ▲ Rising
Unmet need for contraception in Mozambique, 1997–2023
Source: Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
Mozambique recorded 26.6% for unmet need for contraception in 2023. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
The figure is up 11.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception in Mozambique peaked at 26.6% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 21.4%, in 2003.
That places Mozambique 7th out of 58 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
Unmet need for contraception in Mozambique, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 24.9% | — |
| 2003 | 21.4% | -14.1% |
| 2011 | 23.9% | +11.7% |
| 2015 | 23.1% | -3.3% |
| 2023 | 26.6% | +15.2% |
Mozambique compared with similar countries
- Mozambique's 26.6% is above the median for low income countries, which is 21.2%, 1.3× the median. (13 countries reporting)
- Mozambique's 26.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 22.0%, 1.2× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 24.9% | 24.9% | 24.9% | 1 |
| 2000s | 21.4% | 21.4% | 21.4% | 1 |
| 2010s | 23.5% | 23.1% | 23.9% | 2 |
| 2020s | 26.6% | 26.6% | 26.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Mozambique
More health data for Mozambique
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.85 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 1.16 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 869.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 18,288 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 139 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0823 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unmet need for contraception in Mozambique?
- Unmet need for contraception in Mozambique was 26.6% in 2023, according to Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division.
- What is the highest unmet need for contraception recorded in Mozambique?
- The highest recorded value was 26.6% in 2023.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception recorded in Mozambique?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.4% in 2003.
- How does Mozambique rank for unmet need for contraception?
- Mozambique ranks 7th out of 58 countries with data for 2023.
- Is unmet need for contraception rising or falling in Mozambique?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Mozambique data come from?
- The figures come from Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division, published as part of Unmet need for contraception (% of married women ages 15-49). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unmet need for contraception is the percentage of fertile, married women of reproductive age who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.